What does gang mean?
A gang is most commonly understood as an organized group involved in crime, though the word can also describe a team of workers, a prison group, or an informal band of friends. Its criminal sense is highly negative: gang members are associated with threatening, violent, or illicit activity. In less formal uses, “a gang of us” or “a gang of cyclists” simply means a group, sometimes with a humorous or dismissive tone. As a verb, “gang” refers to forming a group or, in “gang up on,” attacking or singling out someone together. The word is useful because it captures both organized group identity and, in its criminal sense, the idea of coordinated misconduct. Its history also reflects a broad social development: from an ordinary term for a company or band to a powerful modern label for organized crime.
A group of people organized for a common purpose, especially an organized criminal group; also, more generally, a company of friends, workers, prisoners, or other people.
"A gang of laborers was repairing the damaged section of the railway."
The criminal sense is dominant and strongly disapproving. More neutral uses of “gang” for workers or friends are informal and may be humorous or dismissive.
To form or join together as a group, or to attack or single out someone as a group.
"The local players ganged up on the visiting striker and prevented a clear chance."
The phrase “gang up on” is especially common and means to collaborate in opposing, pressuring, or overwhelming someone.
The regular plural is gangs, as in “rival gangs” or “street gangs.”
"Two rival gangs accused each other of starting the violence."
Gang began as a word for a journey; centuries later, it became shorthand for a band of criminals.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gang come from?
The word descends from Old English gang, meaning a way or journey, which was borrowed from Old Norse gangr, “a going, course, or company.” It developed from the sense of people traveling together into a general word for a company or band, and by the 16th century it was being used for groups of criminals and robbers. English forms such as gangway, ganger, and gangster continue the word’s association with movement, groups, and organized bands.
Related word forms
How gang is actually used
In its criminal sense, gang is strongly evaluative and usually refers to a group engaged in organized or violent wrongdoing. In phrases such as “a gang of friends,” it is informal and can be affectionate, dismissive, or humorous depending on context. “Gang up on” is the usual construction for the verb meaning to single out or overwhelm someone as a group.